OSU football: Robinson grows into starter's role

The starting quarterback. The team leader. The key who cranks Oklahoma State's offensive engine.

A year after he became The Guy, Robinson feels a lot more comfortable in the role. Certainly much more comfortable than he looked and felt a year ago last Sunday, when he made the first start of his career at Troy.

"That night was a little bit different,” Robinson said during the Cowboys' bye week as they prepare for the Trojans' return visit Sept. 27 at Boone Pickens Stadium.

"We were turning the ball over. They were a fast defense. Things were moving faster that night, being my first start. It slowed down a lot after that.”

Everything else slowed down, and Robinson sped up.

"When you first come in, even though you're the captain of the ship, you're concerned with, ‘OK make sure I get the signal, the snap count, make sure I read the defense,' ” OSU co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer said.

"Now that stuff is natural to him, so he can do all that, plus if there's a guy not in the right place, he can make those little adjustments that come with experience.”

His comfort level after last season lent itself to better leadership in the off-season, when Robinson really took hold of the team.

"The players understand he's the starter, and they trust him and rely on him,” head coach Mike Gundy said. "He's instilled that in them. He's earned it.”

"Everybody looks to him to get in there and lead us,” added tight end Brandon Pettigrew.